Hydroponics, a soilless method of plant cultivation, has gained significant attention in recent

years due to its potential for efficient resource utilization, high yields, and year-round crop production
(Resh, 2013). Green leafy vegetables, such as lettuce, spinach, and kale, are particularly suitable for
hydroponic systems due to their fast growth, high demand, and the ability to thrive in controlled
environments.

In hydroponics, choosing the right fertilizer is essential to ensuring the best plant development,
growth, and output. Because they can deliver exact nutrient compositions and quantities, synthetic
fertilizers have traditionally been employed extensively in hydroponic systems. However, overusing
synthetic fertilizers can result in agricultural nutritional imbalances, groundwater contamination, and
environmental degradation (FAO, 2018). They also contribute to carbon emissions and the depletion of
limited resources through manufacturing and consumption.

Researchers and farmers have been looking for natural and organic alternatives to synthetic
fertilizers to address sustainability and environmental concerns. Organic fertilizers made from natural
sources are viable solutions because they lessen agriculture's negative environmental effects while
preserving or enhancing crop output (Cen et al., 2020).

One such natural source of fertilizer that has gained attention is coconut milk derived from the
coconut palm (Cocos nucifera), a tree of the palm family (Arecaceae). Coconut milk is a byproduct of the
coconut industry, obtained by grating the white flesh of mature coconuts and squeezing it to extract the
liquid. A cup of coconut milk contains 631 mg of potassium (K), 88.8 mg of magnesium (Mg), and 38.4
calcium (Ca). These micronutrients are vital for various plant physiological processes, including enzyme
activation, cell division, photosynthesis, and nutrient uptake. Coconut milk also contains essential
macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. These macronutrients provide energy and
structural components for plant growth and development. It also contains 6.72 mg of vitamin C (ascorbic
acid) (citation), which acts as an antioxidant, protecting plants from oxidative stress.

Due to its nutrient content and capacity to increase soil fertility, coconut milk has historically
been employed in traditional agricultural techniques as a natural fertilizer (citation); nevertheless, its
potential use in hydroponic systems for the propagation of green leafy vegetables is still largely
unexplored. By examining the potential of coconut milk as a fertilizer in hydroponics and its effects on
plant growth, leaf size, and plant height, this study seeks to close this gap.

The necessity for an alternative, efficient, and sustainable fertilizer for hydroponic systems in the
multiplication of green leafy crops is the issue this study attempts to address. Despite being widely used,
synthetic fertilizers have a negative influence on the environment and are expensive to use. As a result,
there is a rising need for natural and organic fertilizers that can offer hydroponic agriculture sustainable
alternatives.

By focusing on coconut milk as a potential fertilizer and testing different parameters such as the
speed of plant growth, size of leaves, and plant height, this study aims to determine the efficacy and
suitability of coconut milk in hydroponic systems for growing green leafy vegetables.

A study has indicated the potential benefits of organic fertilizers on plant growth parameters in
hydroponics. Organic fertilizers have been shown to promote faster plant growth, larger leaf sizes, and
taller plant height in hydroponically grown plants (citation). This study provides a foundation for
exploring the effects of organic fertilizers on the growth of green leafy vegetables in hydroponic systems.

However, more research is needed to determine the precise impacts of using coconut milk as a
fertilizer on these variables in hydroponic systems for growing green leafy vegetables. The objective of
this study is to close this information gap by carrying out rigorous tests and evaluating the outcomes to
assess the effect of coconut milk on the rate of plant growth, the size of the leaves, and the height of the
plants under hydroponic conditions.

Understanding how coconut milk affects plant growth parameters and its potential as a
hydroponic fertilizer will help to create more environmentally responsible and sustainable hydroponic
farming techniques. If effective, coconut milk could replace synthetic fertilizers as a cheap,
environmentally friendly option, decreasing the need for chemical inputs in hydroponic farming.
Additionally, it might improve the nutritional value, yield, and quality of green leafy vegetables, which
would be advantageous for both growers and consumers.